Scott Lachance and his $1.1 million salary’s gone, and Rich Pilon is likely next. GM Mike Milbury is obviously trying to make his payroll leaner by the March 23 trading deadline. Their premier intimidating defenseman, who actually has trade value, is the next logical candidate.

While that might be stretching it, the usual Cup-contending suspects have shown the most interest – Philly, Toronto, Dallas, Colorado, Detroit and Carolina, The Post has learned.

You can almost hear Milbury’s “economics” song regarding Pilon, who makes $1.55 million this season, $1.85M next season and $2.1M in 2000-20001. The Isles have two younger and cheaper rugged defensemen with great size in 6-9 rookie Zdeno Chara and 6-6 newcomer Eric Cairns, who can take on Pilon’s agitator role. If the Isles can turn goalie Tommy Salo into Devils defenseman Sheldon Souray in a three-way with Edmonton, all the better.

But there aren’t many throwbacks such as Pilon in this European-laden league anymore.

“He’s a warrior,” said Milbury, who truly adores Pilon.

However, a budgetary decision was made at last March’s trade deadline that Pilon, because he’s been wracked with nagging injuries and plays with recklessness, might not hold up for three seasons. Milbury had said last March that Pilon, nearing unrestricted free agency, would either be traded or signed by Deadline ’98.

Milbury reached a tentative agreement on the eve of the deadline to send Pilon and Lachance to the Flyers for Janne Niinimaa, contingent on the Isles signing Pilon. Milbury reached a three-year deal with Breeze at midnight. The next morning, Flyers GM Bobby Clarke backed out and instead obtained defenseman Dave Babych and sent Niinimaa to Edmonton for defenseman Dan McGillis.

Milbury said he was still happy to retain Pilon but it’s known the owners were wary about giving Pilon a long-term deal.